$1M grants to fuel MSU PFAS research

By Andi Anderson

Two Michigan State University (MSU) scientists have been awarded grants exceeding $1 million each to tackle the growing issue of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in agricultural operations.

Hui Li, a professor in the MSU Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences, received $1.6 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Cheryl Murphy, director of the MSU Center for PFAS Research, was granted $1.75 million by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).

These grants will fund critical research into PFAS contamination, plant uptake, and livestock bioaccumulation on Michigan farms.

Their research will take place at Grostic Cattle Company, a 300-acre farm in Livingston County that halted production due to PFAS-contaminated biosolids applied to the land.

PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals," are widely used for their resistance to heat and water, but their persistence in the environment poses health risks and threatens agricultural systems.

Li and Murphy’s teams, composed of experts from multiple disciplines at MSU, will conduct a detailed survey to analyze PFAS distribution in soils, assess the transport of PFAS through crops and livestock, and explore management strategies to mitigate PFAS exposure.

By studying the connections between soil, water, crops, and livestock, they aim to develop protocols for screening PFAS contamination and explore solutions to prevent bioaccumulation.

This project will also involve outreach to Michigan farmers and state agencies, with findings disseminated through MSU Extension programs.

Their goal is to create practical, actionable strategies to reduce PFAS contamination on farms and promote safer agricultural practices.

Murphy emphasized the importance of collaboration across national, state, and local levels, stating, "We’ve made progress on PFAS in agriculture, but there are still many unanswered questions. Continued collaboration will be key to finding solutions."

Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu